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Cuba urges US to lift blockade as aid offer and worsening outages unfold
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel urged the United States to lift its blockade amid a deepening energy crisis and widespread outages. The US offered $100 million in aid conditioned on distribution by the Catholic Church, while protests erupted and Cuban officials reported fuel shortages after Russia-supplied oil reserves ran out.
Why It Matters
The event highlights the intersection of U.S. policy toward Cuba, humanitarian aid, and Cuba's energy crisis, with potential implications for Cuban residents and regional diplomacy.
Timeline
11 Events
May 14, 2026: AFP data indicate ongoing prolonged outages and continued generation shortfalls
May 14, 2026
Data compiled by AFP showed prolonged blackouts and record generation shortfalls in recent days, with Havana experiencing lengthy outages as the crisis persisted.
May 14, 2026: Trump comments hint at possible U.S. action toward Cuba
May 14, 2026
The article notes that former President Donald Trump mused that Cuba could be next and that the United States might take over the island.
May 14, 2026: Rubio comments on Cuba trajectory while leadership remains in power
May 14, 2026
Rubio told Fox News that the United States is unlikely to change Cuba's trajectory as long as the current leadership remains in charge.
May 14, 2026: Rubio renews $100 million aid offer conditioned on Catholic Church distribution
May 14, 2026
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio renewed an offer of $100 million in aid on the condition that the assistance be distributed by the Catholic Church and bypass the Cuban government.
May 14, 2026: Diaz-Canel calls on US to lift blockade rather than offer aid
May 14, 2026
President Miguel Diaz-Canel posted on X urging the United States to lift or relax the blockade, saying the humanitarian situation is coldly calculated and induced.
May 14, 2026: Eastern Cuba plunges into outages; some power returns later
May 14, 2026
Eastern Cuba was plunged into the latest outages on Thursday, with power returning to some areas later in the day as the energy crisis continued.
May 13, 2026: Residents in Playa shout Turn on the lights during demonstrations
May 13, 2026
In Playa, western Havana, residents shouted Turn on the lights during demonstrations about ongoing outages.
May 13, 2026: Protests in Havana neighborhoods amid outages
May 13, 2026
Protests were reported in Havana-area neighborhoods, including San Miguel del Padron, as residents voiced frustration over power cuts.
May 13, 2026: Russia-supplied oil reserves have run out; government says situation is very tense
May 13, 2026
Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy told state television that oil reserves sent by Russia have run out, describing the situation as very tense as Cuba lacks fuel.
May 12, 2026: 65% of Cuban territory experiences simultaneous blackouts
May 12, 2026
Data compiled by AFP shows that 65 percent of Cuban territory endured simultaneous blackouts, with generation shortfalls reported in recent days.
January 2026: US oil blockade imposed on Cuba deepens energy crisis
January 2026
The energy crisis in Cuba has deepened since January when the United States imposed an oil blockade on the island.